March 7, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
201 
If it does not altogether protect, it forms an obstacle difficult 
to surmount. These considerations may be thought trifles, but 
when the work of a whole year depends upon such, it is certainly 
more important to procure a satisfactory result than to lose 
a scape by neglecting the means to some extent of their pro¬ 
tection. Pieces of Lettuce leaves should also be placed about 
the stages and on the pots, on which they may feed. H. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Globe Artichokes. —These have passed through the winter in 
many parts practically unharmed where the necessary protec¬ 
tion was afforded them. Unfortunately, the better varieties 
are far more tender than the common ones, and are often 
seriously injured during severe and continued frost, even when 
every care is taken to ensure their safety. In my opinion there 
is only one variety that is really worth cultivating, and that is 
tiie best green, which is rounded at the points and without 
prickles; the quality is far superior to any other, and it is 
also very prolific. To ensure a good supply, these should be re¬ 
planted every two or three years on fresh ground which has 
been heavily manured and trenched. This may be accom¬ 
plished when the weather is favourable on early light soils, as, 
owing to the mild weather, they are beginning to grow freely. 
Allow a distance of 3 ft, from plant to plant, and 4 ft. between 
the rows; plant firmly and apply a good mulching of finely- 
sifted cinder ashes. Suckers which have been wintered in pots 
(a capital plan), especially so in cold districts and on heavy 
land, may be kept in a sheltered position till quite the end of 
the month or the beginning of the next. These will give 
splendid heads if liberally treated during late summer. The 
best brown variety ranks next in order of merit, but the heads 
are much smaller and not so good in quality. Globe Artichokes 
can be easily raised from seed, but can never be depended on, 
many of them being generally worthless. 
Peas.—Early varieties, raised under glass, should now be 
thoroughly hardened, and in no case should these be allowed 
to become drawn. After this has been thoroughly ensured, 
carefully plant them on warm, sheltered borders when the 
weather is favourable for so doing, and if carefully performed 
they will suffer but little from the operation. Lift from the 
boxes with a small hand-fork, lay out the young roots nicely, fill 
in and make firm with some of the finest soil taken from the 
trench. Stake at the same time, and securely net them, both 
as a protection against the ravages of birds and frost. Make 
one more good sowing in boxes of the large-podded kinds*, and 
raise in quite a cool house or frame; at the same date put a 
few in the open ground. Those which are being grown under 
glass should be kept well aired and as cool as possible. A stout 
and sturdy growth will always ensure producing the best crops. 
Broad Beans, which have been raised in boxes, should also 
be transferred to 1 the open ground. Plant in double lows 3 ft. 
asunder; put them in a good depth with a dibber, and mulch 
between the plants with sifted old mushroom-bed manure. I 
am fully convinced that Broad Beans treated in this way } ield 
far- better crops and finer pods than when sown in the open. 
Make another sowing in the same way. 
Tomatos. — Plants which were sown during last autumn 
should now be fruiting away freely. Maintain a diy, buoyant 
atmosphere and attend to the fertilising of the blooms daily. 
After a good crop has been ensured, feed liberally with good 
farmyard manure-water. 
Succession plants should be potted on as they require it, and 
endeavour to encourage a short, stout, stocky giovt i >y eep 
ing them near the glass. Seed should at once e sov n or 
planting in the open; it is well to bear in mind that unless 
the plants are well forward when planting in open quart oi n 
except the season proves to be exceptionally favourable, very 
poor returns may be looked for. If room can be found for 
growing these on strong and sturdy and planting out m on wi 
fruits set on them, so much the better. _ Choose varieties that 
are free bearing, of good quality and quick to ripen. 
Vacant Ground . Lo.se no time in getting every particle of 
land either dug or trenched so that it may be ready for receiving 
the various crops as they require to be put in. It is an ex¬ 
tremely laid practice, and one I never adopt, if possible, to turn 
over the ground and plant or sow at the same time. 
Winter Greens are extremely plentiful this season, and it will 
be well in many instances to curtail the quantity, leaving 
sufficient only for the needs of the establishment. Pull up and 
burn any of the stems which may not be wanted, as nothing 
tends to distress the ground, especially when these commence 
to go away into flower, than any of the Brassioa family. Manure 
and trench the ground and apply a, surface-dressing of soot 
and lime immediately it is done. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
The Shrubbery. —Probably there is no department in the 
garden, which receives so little care and attention, generally 
speaking, as that which is occupied by what should be orna¬ 
mental trees and shrubs; yet I doubt if there is anything more 
beautiful, attractive and interesting than a well-arranged and 
property-kept shrubbery, border, or bed. Far too often, after 
the site has been selected, these are planted with a view of 
creating present effect, and entirely regardless of the future. 
In addition to this, the more robust and commoner kinds are 
allowed to grow away at their own sweet will, and in a very short 
space of time the weaker and more beautiful become overgrown 
and spoiled. Strong-growing subjects, such as the common 
Yew, Laurels of sorts, Portugal Laurels and Privet among the 
evergreens, and Lilacs, Philadelphus, Elders, and Symphoricar- 
pus among the deciduous, are all very well in their way, but 
these require to be kept well in hand, especially so in small 
gardens. These: commoner garden shrubs are inexpensive, and 
when the time comes, if it is thought advisable, they can be 
cut down and stocked out, thus giving the smaller and rarer 
varieties a, chance to develop and form perfect specimens, and 
no great loss will be the result. 
Pruning. —This is a veiy important item, and one that seldom 
receives the requisite amount of care. Far too often, those 
shrubs which require to be judiciously pruned are ruthlessly 
hacked about, so that all distinctive and natural form is thereby 
destroyed. On the other hand, those which may be freely 
knifed—and are considerably benefited by the process—are 
allowed to form ungainly specimens. The, majority of coni¬ 
ferous subjects need but little pruning ; it is the deciduous trees 
and shrubs which claim attention in this, respect. Perhaps the 
principal part of a deciduous specimen tree is the: leader, which 
should be strong in growth and as straight as possible; the 
proper pruning of the branches will have a great deal to do 
with this, but if two or more leaders are formed—which is 
frequently the case—the strongest and most central one should 
be retained, and the others cut away close to the base. If the 
leader should get damaged or broken, another should be taken 
up as nearly in the same position as it can be. When a, tree 
lias a tendency to form a, weak and spindly lead, rather than 
endeavour to* maintain it, this may often be advantageously 
removed and a mop-lieaded tree formed, which will create a 
pleasing contrast to its upright and fastigiate neighbours. 
Arranging the Shrubs. —When a new shrubbery or bed is 
being planted the general plan is to have all the tall-growing 
subjects in the centre or at the back, and gradually slope them 
down to the dwarfer-growing ones in the front. This is quite 
a mistaken practice, and one that cannot be too strongly con¬ 
demned. Some of the taller shrubs should be brought to the 
front, so that an irregular line is formed ; this will produce a 
far more pleasing effect, and one will be enabled to plant a 
larger number in a given space. When first planted the shrubs 
must naturally be placed closer together than they are to re¬ 
main, so that some shifting and re-arranging will have to be 
done annually ; but never at any time allow one shrub to inter¬ 
fere with another, so that they are unable to develop perfectly. 
